So if you don't know astronautalis and I are back in Europe. This is our first return back to Europe since the Tegan and Sara tour late last year. And its going great! The first week brought us back to some cities we have played before and we played 3 new cities with one of them being in a new country. Slovakia! The attendance is up from the last time and I can't help to think that the Tegan and Sara tour has something to do with that.
Prague was and is always the best show on the tour for me. Our promoter Adam is the fucking best. We have really been spoiled by his continued hard work. And I'm happy to call him a friend at this point in my life. Its always a highlight to the tour and raises the bar for the rest of the shows always.
We moved out of the barrel in Brno,Czech Republic that we usually play to a bigger venue and we sold the new venue out. Which is awesome. We celebrated the "czech way" and needless to say I was hung over the next day for sure. After Brno it was a short drive to Cadca,Slovakia
We arrived in Slovakia like 5 hours early and we walked around and freaked out the locals. It didn't take much. Just us walking around will do that. I didn't notice the kids eyes popping out of this kids head as he stared at my tattoos. Andy mentioned it to me. I did on the other hand notice the mother grab her kid closer to her as we walked by a different family. They must of thought we were from a different planet. We had a nice little laugh about it. The Slovakia show was packed. I'm pretty sure 90% of the crowd didn't speak english and had no clue what andy was saying. It was a great time. The farther east we go in Europe the crazier the shows get. They know how to party in the east that's for sure.
Next show was a new city for us in Austria called Ottensheim. And come to find out its the same size as Pilot Point,Texas. 5,000 people. We had amazing weather and the show was outside in this park. It had everything you need. A small bar,volleyball courts,restrooms,shower,grills,things to eat and a hotel. Not your normal run of the mill hotel (www.dasparkhotel.net). This one was literally made from old concrete tubes. Like a sewer pipe if you will. 3 pipes. Each had a double bed,a table,power to plug into,a lamp,and a skylight. We thought they were joking when Paul our lighting guy said,"you see those tubes on the hill? They're a hotel" As they gave us the key I still didn't believe him until we opened one of the tubes doors and it was a little room. They said,"you can stay at our flat if you like or you can stay here". We were like,"I'm sure your flat is nice but we would like to stay in the tubes". I literally slept for 12 hours. The show was real low key older crowd with there kids. Very nice for our 1st time in Ottensheim.
The next day we drove into Germany for another new city we had never been to Bamberg. What you need to know about us is when we come to a new city to play we assume the worst. Because if we have never been there we can assume not many people have heard of us. We were so stoked when we came down from our flat after eatting homemade lasagna from scratch and there were people in the club. This show was 75% female. Which I can only assume that's because of Tegan and Sara. But who knows. Show went great. Andy's been trying out some new songs and they are going over well. Which is rad. The lovely ladies behind the bar made me drink way to many vodka/limes. And I may or may not of got sick later that evening. Good times.
After Bamberg we had a day off the first and only day off of the tour more or less. So we went to Berlin a day early and just hung out with our friends Ole and Nadine. Super awesome people. For some reason the weather in Europe is not what I would call "Summer". Its cold and raining and my dumb Texas ass barely brought pants let alone a jacket. I mean who would of thought you would need a jacket and a pair of pants in the summer. Not me. Side note: I'm buying a jacket tomorrow.
Saturday night was our Berlin show and it was a rap show. We played with Audio 88 from Berlin and it was great. Apparently Vice Magazine did a write up in print and on there website about the show. Which is sweet as hell. We had a surprise visit from our friend Andy from Amstredam. Andy and his girlfriend are great. Such nice people. We drank Helles bier and talked shop.
Now we are in Hamburg and the weather is pretty gross. Cold and Rainy. Not sure if that effected the turn out or not. But it for sure has made me sleepy.
So there you have it the first week of our 3 week tour. We are some lucky dudes and best believe not a day goes by that we don't stop and think. HOLY SHIT we are in Europe again! Thank you to everyone that continues to support our music. And one other thing. We are selling tons of merch and running low on sizes in the shirts. But you can order everything that's on the merch table at our web store.
So we are in austria tonight. We are playing in an outdoor venue (Rodlbudl) in this amazing park. They have a little park with some food. The park has foosball,volleyball,a playground with an amazing slide,places to grill, restrooms, and a hotel like you've never seen before. They are these 3 concrete cylinders that have a double bed and internet inside. So cool. The tour is going great!
after much ado...it is finally here! we have been taking your money at shows for years, and now...thanks to the magic of Vice-Wizard Al Gore...we can take your money through the internet! We got cds, vinyl, hoodies, tees, and even bandannas! HOORAY! give us money so we can blow it all on hot tubs, machine guns, and calf implants!
TWO FLORIDA SHOWS! Jul 31 - Jacksonville, FL @ Zombie Bike Co-Op Aug 8 - Orlando, FL @ Park Ave CDs
Come see ME! on tour in EUROPE! Aug 21 - Mannheim, DE @ The Suite Aug 22 - Prague, CZR @ 007 Club Aug 23 - Brno, CZR @ The Yacht Club Aug 24 - Cadca, SLO @ Deja Vu Aug 25 - Ottersheim, AU @ Koma Kv Aug 26 - Bamberg, DE @ Morph Aug 28 - Berlin, DE @ Lovelite Aug 29 - Hamburg, DE @ Hafenklang Aug 30 - Wuppertal, DE @ Beatz & Kekse Aug 31 - Paris, FR @ L'International Sep 02 - Köln, DE @ Sonic Ballroom Sep 03 - Bremen, DE @ Lila Eule Sep 04 - Aachen, DE @ Az Sep 05 - Müchen, DE @ Kranhalle Sep 06 - Darmstadt, DE @ Oettinger Villa Sep 07 - Oberhausen, DE @ Druckluft
Hey Europe! I am coming back to sweat on your stages for the first time since touring with my good friends Tegan & Sara! more information can be found on my Artist Data Page!Be there! (more shows to come)
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OPENING UP FOR K-OS! OCT 07 - Vancouver, BC @ The Venue OCT 08 - Seattle, WA @ Nectar OCT 09 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory OCT 11 - Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan OCT 13 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's OCT 14 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater OCT 15 - Solana Beach, CA @ The Belly Up Tavern OCT 16 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Chaser's OCT 18 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater OCT 19 - Fort Collins, CO @ The Aggie OCT 21 - Saint Paul, MN @ Turf Club OCT 22 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon OCT 23 - Chicago , IL @ Lincoln Hall OCT 24 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick OCT 25 - Columbus, OH @ Skully's OCT 26 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar OCT 28 - New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom OCT 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar OCT 31 - Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
There will be some of those days off filled with solo shows and i will be tacking some dates on the end...be patient...i will be coming to your hood! xoxo
We are 5 days into the Every Never is Now Tour with P.O.S. and Dessa and its going great. The start of the tour for us was in Austin and what a way to begin the tour. The show was awesome. So much energy in the room. It was our first night with all new merch and it went very well. 2nd night was home town Denton. And I've never seen a line so long to get into a hip hop show ever in Denton. It took over 2 hours to get everyone in. A lot of people missed andy because of the line but andy still played to a full room. We left after the show to get a head start to New Orleans. The game plan was drive for a couple hours and get a room. Well when we stopped for the night the town we stopped in all the hotels were booked for some trade show. So we opted to push on thru the night. We ended up drive all the way to NO. Exhausted from 12 hours of van travel that should of taken 9 hours now it was time to load in and get ready for New Orleans. Andy had never played New Orleans so we were excited. Especially since we were off the next day. The show went well for a early sunday show. I don't know what it is about New Orleans but even though exhausted we all decided we needed to party. The evening ended with an in depth conversation about Hip Hop music between Dessa,Astro,Plain Ole Bill,and myself.
Our day off produced tons of rain. We had some awesome food. A couple of us had the Rabbit,Sausage,Shrimp,Craw fish Jambalaya. Which was so good. We decided it was time to get tour tattoo's. So 5 of us got Fleur De Lis. Randy at the body shop (www.thebodyshoptattoos.com) was so nice to bring his set up to our hotel room. 3 hours late we all had our new ink.
Today we are in Florida. Playing tallahassee tonight orlando tomorrow. This tour is a really solid line up. The actual show is so awesome. Do yourself a favor if we are playing your town you should come out to the show. You won't regret it. Hope to see you out!
2010 has been pretty swell thus far...snowy...but swell to be sure. there has been snowboarding, shows with Tegan & Sara in their native north, singing with a 7 piece back up band, and now...i start up on my new side project with my dear friend P.O.S.. we are on our first full day of recording and already we are starting to see some songs take shape...as i type this Stef is singing really whimpy backing vocals to my SUPER whimpy song about making out to keep warm. I have also started to nail together a pretty dark song about bullfighting/the end of the world. so...there you go. hopefully we will get a few of these songs really locked down for when we hit the road together (along with the homie Dessa) in FEB/MARCH for the EVERY NEVER IS NOW TOUR! BE THERE STUPID! alright...stef is done with his part...time for me to outsissy his vocals.
Andy has gone to his terminal. I can't check in for another hour. We have been in the frankfurt international airport since 9pm yesterday. Neither of us have slept. Andy was working on music for several hours and I had a few beers for his birthday and to be honest did nothing. Our touring for the year is over. Just have 2 more planes and I'll be home. I can't wait. Thanks to everyone who continues to support us by either coming out to show and/or buying music. I've had one hell of a year. 2010 here we come!
To our friends in Prague sorry we didn't make it out to Klub 007 on Tuesday. Since Sunday we literally have been outside of the room a total of 3 hours. We have been sleeping like bears. We will be back rested and ready to hang in 2010. Thanks to all the great folks of the Czech Republic (Adam, Jana, Dialog Crew, Tereza, N.A.A.B., & Petr) I can't tell you how many times in the last week Andy and I have said, "God Damn I love this Country" but its been a shit ton.
I just realized I mentioned a couple posts ago that we are tired and been on the road 9 months. Sorry for repeating myself, but we have been on the road for 9 months and we are tired! ;)
So I know I know I haven't blogged much on this tour. I can think of many reasons. But lazy is really the only answer. We are off in Prague for 2 days. Today gave us much needed sleep. I think more sleeping tomorrow as well. The bottom line Andy and I are exhausted. We have toured 9 months this year and I have to go back and count how many shows but I bet over 200. Either way I'm not complaining I'm just explaining that when we get free time resting comes priority. But we have 2 shows/cities we have never played coming up. Vienna,Austria and then Kaunas,Lithuania. Which I have no clue what to expect. Then we are home for a full month and we are back on the road. This is by far the best job and hardest job I have ever had in my life. We get to see the world and meet people from all walks of life. You get used to it and then it will hit you. Like hey dumb ass your in Czech Republic don't act like this is normal.
The tour with Tegan and Sara was so many things from me. I learned alot professionally and personally. Watching those crowds of hundreds of people freak out over music was so incredible. Hearing songs about love every night, well it makes you think.
When 2009 started we were coming to Europe for the first time in February not knowing what to expect. And the last thing we thought was we would end the year back in Europe for our 3rd trip opening for a band that sells out 2000 cap rooms with no problem.
What a year!
We now have a US booking agent and a European booking agent. Andy and I are both single for the first time in years. We played more shows this year than we have ever in our career. And to be honest I bet we play more shows next year than this year. I bought a house which I have only been to 4 days, and I closed on the 2nd week of October. I've found out alot about myself in a short time. And that is life will throw you a curve ball, It's how you swing at that pitch that matters.
Why am I telling you all this? Which is even funnier because I don't know who reads this other than my friend Brenda. And she is by far the most amazing person I have met in a long time. I'm going to dedicate this blog to her. Because she has put more smiles on my face in the shortest amount of time and I don't even think she's aware of how important those smiles have been in my life. I'm telling you all this because we wouldn't be able to do any of this if it wasn't for the fans.
So thanks to all the fans that have came out to the shows and said hello. Thanks to Tegan and Sara for taking two dude's from the states on the Biggest tour of their career. And thanks to Brenda for being thoughtful, caring, funny as hell, and most important herself!
So our 4 days in germany are over and the shows were some of the best nights on this tour so far for merch. Last night in Köln we had a guest list full of great friends from all over the place. Couple people from germany, our friend from Australia that lives in amstredam now. Our great friend from the states that hasn't leave in the states in 5 years. So nice to people with great people on our last night in germany. My friend Brenda took me to the Köln Dom that was having Christmas going on. It was so much fun. We drank warm wine with amaretto in it. (Can't remember the german word for the drink). We had loaf's of bread with garlic and melted swiss cheese on it. We walked around before our show and had a great time. Then after the show our whole crew went to a german party and brenda and I found some Doner that wasn't "real" lamb we think. But we were so hungry it didn't matter. Today on our way to Brussels we went to an american bomber cemetery with soldiers from World War II which was amazing. Being there was such an amazing feeling. It was out on the countryside of Henri-Chappele,Belgium. The landscape was breathtaking. The land was as far as you could see. Just beautiful. Today was our last day off on the Tegan and Sara tour. Tomorrow is our last show with them. Its really become like we are part of their family. Tonight a handful of us went to dinner and after dinner Tegan,Andy,Chris,and myself went for drinks. Great conversation. Now Andy and I are back in our room and hitting the sack. We forget to get the password for the internet earlier so sleep is our only option. Which is nice because I could use some good sleep. Brussels is a pretty cool city and tomorrow it will be our first time to play in the city let alone the country. Then we have a drive day to get to our most favorite country aside from America which is the Czech Republic. We have 5 shows in CZR then one show in Vienna,Austria and one show in Lithuania. I sure hope to see friendly faces out at the shows. If you happen to read this blog and are out at a show. Please come by the merch table and say hi. If you don't know what I look like. I'll be the other guy with astronautalis that doesn't speak your language.
We just got into Berlin. We have several hours before we have to be at the venue. Which is great because we need to do laundry. It just so happens that today is Thanksgiving in America. This is the first time we have been on the road for Thanksgiving. So while america is off work watching football and eatting turkey or whatever it is you do for Thanksgiving. Andy and I are thankful to be in a laundry mat. Because I haven't done laundry since I've been in europe which has been 2 weeks. We are on the last 4 shows of the Tegan and Sara tour and it has flown by.
We are going to be in the Czech Republic in a week playing for our fans in small clubs and that's going to be awesome. A change of what this tour has been. But for sure familiar to what we are used to. Plus we love the Czech Republic so I'm excited and sad to leave this tour and the amazing new friends we have gotten to know so well.
My friend Brenda sent me a email wondering what's up with the lack of blogging. And to be honest I haven't had much time to collect my thoughts. Its probably the fact that we have been on the road damn near 9 months this year and so much as happened. We have had a successful year on so many levels. Got to come to Europe for the first time in February with no real idea of what would come of it and now we are in the middle of our 3rd trip here. That is so incredible. Never would we of thought that back in February. Getting to open for crowds as big as 2000 people. Its hard to find words to describe that. Hamburg last night went well. Sold a lot of cd's. Which is nice. We stayed in the sex district. Which happened to be the area the Beatles played in for like 6 months back when they were a 5 piece. Our hotel was above a place called safari. Which is a place you can go and watch Live Sex. So I would wake up in the middle of the night and laugh at the fact that 3 floors below me people were on stage fucking. Germany aint neva scared. Tonight in Berlin we have several friends coming to the show so it should be a great time. Got to go put my wash in the dryer. Until next time.
this year has been rather productive in the Checking Boxes Dept of my, "things to do before i die list". After this tour, i think my country count will be up to 19, i drank lots of funny drinks, ate tons of amazing food, made friends in foreign lands, and now...i can say i have been to Bothwell Castle. Scotland was more than i could expect...i have never responded so viscerally to a place like i did on the drive into Scotland from Manchester. It was more beautiful than i could have imagined, it felt oddly like home...i can't wait to return to claim it as such some day.
Insomnia is killing me, Tegan & Sara + their band & crew are making life worth living, their fans are scared of me at first, but beautifully open minded about the strange man that is yelling at them, and i am about to go to Sweden for the first time...i am exhausted...but happy.
So tonight is the 3rd and last show in the UK. Last night in Manchester was sold out with 1000 screaming girls. Tonight is damn near sold out. Last night was on campus @ Manchester University. Tonight in Edinburgh, Scotland the show is in a super old theatre right next to this huge castle called Edinburgh Castle fitting, right! This tour so far has been unreal. The biggest crowds we have ever played in front. Today we had a short drive. We drove so amazing countryside in scotland and we saw more sheep than I have ever seen in my life. The 30 mile scenic route had me cracking up. Which happens every time I get to drive on ridiculous roads. Not only has the last 3 days been insane because I've been driving in the passengers seat and on the left side of the road. But the country is just beautiful. I for sure like scotland the best. Its the type of land I love driving thru. We were listening to the hold steady. Then andy put on mogawi which just made the land that much more pretty!
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I started this blog at the beginning of the night. Now andy has performed and had a great response. And Tegan and Sara are about half way thru their set. Tonight the merch is in the same room as the show so I'm getting to see the entire set. They put on a great concert!
As I type this I'm sitting on the 3 floor of the Shepherd Bush Empire in London. We have sound checked. Andy's taking a shower in our dressing room and I'm finally excited about this tour. We can never get to excited when we come to Europe because of the unknowns. This tour starts in the UK which all we have ever heard is getting into this country and being a "band" is nothing but a pain in the ass. The funny thing is it was so easy. Maybe because it was 7am on Friday the 13th and luck was on our side. Either way we made it thru custom. Next step was the rental car. I got okie doked and talked into a bigger car thinking it was a good idea. Andy got to telling me I had just got us a rental car that cost 3 times what he had reserved. So we had it for about 10 minutes. Got the little taco car and went to put in our address in the gps and I had forgot to load the UK maps on the gps. So we got to loading the maps. That took damn near 2 hours. So we slept in the car at the rental place in the airport. Now it was time to drive on the left side of the road and the right side in the car. Which is taking a lot longer than I thought to get used to. Its been raining all day. All and all this day hasn't been that difficult. Andy and I were on different flights and apparently I won because my flight was empty and with all the greatest technology. Andy on the other hand was on a plane from the 80's. I think they let you smoke on his plane. Tonight's show is SOLD OUT. Andy will be playing in front of 2000 people. So rad. This venue sell your merch for you and takes a cut. Which fucking sucks but dems the rules. I've been a handful of Tegan and Sara's crew. But not the 2 of them yet. This tour is going to be insane. Have I mentioned I have the best job ever? Hope all is well! For some reason I find myself blogging more in europe than in the Stated. Not sure why that is. Oh well.
FFFFest was astounding. I didn't see a single act that didn't bring their A-game--even with the wind, rain, and mud of day 2. Thanks to everyone who ran the fest and everyone who came out and made it funfunfun!
Well our West Coast run with Sole and The Skyrider Band is over. We did a nice loop of the west of america. 13 shows in 14 days. Now we are off for about a week. Then it's 4 shows in America one of them being Fun Fun Fun Fest. We are super stoked to be playng this festival. Then we play in Shreveport at Louisiana State University. Then in Little Rock at ACAC - Arkansas Community Arts Co-Op. Then we head back to Europe to open for Tegan and Sara These shows are going to be SOLD OUT so if you want to attend get your tickets now! I thought I had more to say but I find myself drawing a blank. Sorry for the lack of updates on the Sole Tour. I checked out for about 2 weeks. My first "vacation" while on tour. Which means I didn't drive but twice during the 14 day tour. Which if you know us I do all the driving. So it felt like vacation. Hope folks are doing well. I'm sure we will see you soon. It's just a matter of time.
Bud ' I decided to pee on the side of I-80 in wyoming...mostly because we thought it would be funny. For those who don't know...the entire state of wyoming is a gant wind tunnel. I think 40% of my pee actually hit the ground! SUCCESS!!!
Its a good thing nothing is going on this weekend in Oakland/San Fran
So we roll into Oakland from a long drive from San diego. We knew before hand that the Treasure Island Festival was going on this weekend. And we knew that Why? Was playing in San Fran to a Sold Out crowd. But we didn't know the Monsters of Folk were playing across the street from our show. So we figure out of the 3 shows we are 4th on folks list to come to our show. Lucky us and Sole we have loyal fans. With all that's going on we managed to have a pretty good attendance. The good people of The Uptown are great and super hospitable. We have another long drive tomorrow to Portland. I have a feeling that I will be driving tomorrow. But the last 3 days of touring and not driving have been great.
Last night was the start of our West Coast run with Sole and the Skyrider Band! Los Angeles was a great start. Many old friends and new friends. Probably drank alittle to much. But it was a great start to the tour. We had a short drive down to Saint Diego. This show isn't that great. But you win some you lose some. We got a hotel room 6 dudes 2 beds. Mad luxury. We are having a great time. Or at least I am. I'm used to driving all day but this tour we have 3 of us who are going to drive. So getting to ride and not drive is like vacation for me. I'll make up for it in London next month. Driving on the "wrong" side of the road is so exciting to me. Well its time for our rap show. Until next time!
Yup...it is that time again. That magical time of the year when we roll into the university of virginia to teach these brilliant minds the value of keg beer, sweating, dancing, and rapping loud. All in honor of Thomas Jefferson, the father of the UVA!
after much ado...it is finally here! we have been taking your money at shows for years, and now...thanks to the magic of Vice-Wizard Al Gore...we can take your money through the internet! We got cds, vinyl, hoodies, tees, and even bandannas! HOORAY! give us money so we can blow it all on hot tubs, machine guns, and calf implants!
TWO FLORIDA SHOWS!
